AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He touches my hand, sending an unexpected jolt of electricity through my body. That wasn’t supposed to happen. But he caught me off guard.
“Hey.” His voice is soft. Not urgent or arrogant.
I don’t turn.
“I thought I’d take you out tonight because you’ve had a rough few weeks. And you haven’t seemed entirely thrilled with my cooking.”
“Your cooking is amazing,” I tell him honestly. It always was.
He grins. “I was fishing for a compliment.”
I fiddle with my thumbs and chance a glance at him. “Sorry I’ve been sour this week.”
“You don’t owe me an apology. But I’d still like to take you to dinner. If you don’t want to go here, then we can take a drive a little further from town.”
I shake my head. “That’s silly. And I hear the food is good here.”
He winks. “Wait here.” He nods to the valet and steps out of the car, coming around and opening my door.
I glance down at my outfit again. Wondering if this skirt is slutty or if my boots are too “Charlie”.
Noah scans me appreciatively as he takes my hand. As if he could read my mind.
I suck in a silent breath as we enter. I’m not sure if it’s my imagination, but Noah’s grip tightens around my hand protectively.
A tall brunette I recognize from the last time I was here steps around the hostess desk. “Noah, good to see you again.” She squeezes his bicep and leans in, kissing his cheek. Then dips her gorgeous head to me. “And you’ve brought a guest.”
“We’ll be eating in tonight, Fiona.”
“A date?” She perks her brows.
“Your best table outside would be lovely, away from the band,” he instructs, ignoring her question.
“Of course. Bethany,” she calls, and chills run down my spine.
The all-too familiar quirky girl springs into view. She used to work at the Inn. Until six months ago, after an inappropriate comment to a customer.
That customer was me.
I’m not entirely sure if she quit or was let go, but Aiden Reeves never fires anyone, so her being replaced a week later remains a mystery.
Bethany’s smile is a tad too bright. “Hey, Noah. Charlie…” There’s a question about the way she says my name. She glances between us. “Table for two?”
“Yes, thank you.” His tone is polite but distant.
A Noah classic.
We’re seated at a table outside along the white fence with a fountain view. Noah pushes the menu aside like he knows it by heart. “Have you eaten here before?”
“Um…no.”
He cocks his head and I know the look. He doesn’t believe me.
“I think you’ll love the lobster ravioli and… a side dish of the olive dip.”
I set my menu down and avoid telling him that those things sound absolutely divine. “Sounds good.”
His eyes flash to the tinted windows of the restaurant and then back to me. “Did you know Bethany worked here? Is that why you didn’t want to come in?”
